The '''[[Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress)]]''' is a four-part measurement that illustrates the extent to which members of the [[United States Congress|U.S. Congress]] have personally benefited from their tenure as public servants. <br>

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The '''[[Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress)]]''' is a four-part measurement that illustrates the extent to which members of the [[United States Congress|U.S. Congress]] have prospered during their tenure as public servants. <br>

It consists of four different metrics pioneered by the [[Government Accountability Institute]]:

It consists of four different metrics pioneered by the [[Government Accountability Institute]]:

*[[Changes in Net Worth of U.S. Senators and Representatives (Personal Gain Index)|Changes in Net Worth]]

*[[Changes in Net Worth of U.S. Senators and Representatives (Personal Gain Index)|Changes in Net Worth]]

Key votes

113th Congress

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 114 out of the 3,036 introduced bills (3.8 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[7] For more information pertaining to Schakowsky's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[8]

National security

DHS Appropriations

Schakowsky voted against HR 2217 - the DHS Appropriations Act (2014) Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 and was largely along party lines.[9]

Keystone Pipeline Amendment

Schakowsky voted in favor of House Amendment 69, which would have amended HR 3 to "require that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, conduct a study of the vulnerabilities of the Keystone XL pipeline to a terrorist attack and certify that necessary protections have been put in place." The amendment failed on May 22, 2013, with a vote of 176 - 239 and was largely along party lines.[9]

CISPA (2013)

Schakowsky voted against HR 624 - the CISPA (2013). The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill would allow federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities.[10] The bill was largely supported by Republicans, but divided the Democratic Party.[9]

NDAA

Schakowsky voted in support of HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.[9]

Economy

Farm bill

On January 29, 2014, the U.S. House approved the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, H.R. 2642, known as the Farm Bill.[11] The bill passed by a vote of 251-166. The nearly 1,000-page bill provides for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through 2018. The $1 trillion bill expanded crop insurance for farmers by $7 billion over the next decade and created new subsidies for rice and peanut growers that would kick in when prices drop.[12][13] However, cuts to the food stamp program cut an average of $90 per month for 1.7 million people in 15 states.[13] Schakowsky voted with 102 other Democraticrepresentatives against the bill.

2014 Budget

On January 15, 2014, the Republican-run House approved H.R. 3547, a $1.1 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September 30, 2014.[14][15] The House voted 359-67 for the 1,582 page bill, with 64 Republicans and three Democrats voting against the bill.[15] The omnibus package included 12 annual spending bills to fund federal operations.[16] It included a 1 percent increase in the paychecks of federal workers and military personnel, a $1 billion increase in Head Start funding for early childhood education, reduced funding to the Internal Revenue Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, and the protection of the Affordable Care Act from any drastic cuts. Schakowsky joined with the majority of the Democratic party and voted in favor of the bill.[14][15]

Government shutdown

On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201.[17] At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen. Harry Reid rejected the call to conference.[18] Schakowsky voted against the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.[19]

The shutdown finally ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by the Senate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[20] The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming from Republican members. Schakowsky voted for HR 2775.[21]

Immigration

Morton Memos Prohibition

Schakowsky voted against House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain illegal aliens residing in the United States. The vote largely followed party lines.[9]

Healthcare

Healthcare Reform Rules

Schakowsky voted against House Amendment 450 - Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The amendment was adopted by the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 227-185. The amendment requires all changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act be approved by Congress before taking effect. The vote was largely along party lines.[9]

Keep the IRS Off Your Healthcare Act

Schakowsky voted against HR 2009 - Keep the IRS Off Your Healthcare Act of 2013. The bill passed through the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 232-185. The bill would prevent the IRS and Treasury Secretary from enforcing the powers provided to them in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The vote largely followed party lines.[9]

Social issues

Amash amendment

Schakowsky voted against House Amendment 413 - Prohibits the National Security Agency from Collecting Records Under the Patriot Act. The amendment failed on July 4, 2013, by a vote of 205-217. The amendment would have prohibited the collection of records by the National Security Agency under the Patriot Act. Both parties were split on the vote.[9]

Previous congressional sessions

Fiscal Cliff

Schakowsky voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. She was 1 of 172 Democrats that voted in favor of the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257 - 167 vote on January 1, 2013.[22]

Issues

On The Issues Vote Match

On The Issues conducts a VoteMatch analysis of elected officials based on 20 issue areas. Rather than relying on incumbents to complete the quiz themselves, the VoteMatch analysis is conducted using voting records, statements to the media, debate transcripts or citations from books authored by or about the candidate. Based on the results of the quiz, Schakowsky is a Hard-Core Liberal. Schakowsky received a score of 80 percent on personal issues and 4 percent on economic issues.[23]

On The Issues organization logo.

The table below contains the results of analysis compiled by staff at On The Issues.

National security

American response in Syria

On August 29, 2013, more than 50 HouseDemocrats signed a letter written by CaliforniaRep.Barbara Lee that called for a congressional resolution on strikes, and cautioned that the dire situation in Syria "should not draw us into an unwise war—especially without adhering to our constitutional requirements."[25][26] The letter also called on the Obama administration to work with the U.N. Security Council “to build international consensus” condemning the alleged use of chemical weapons. Schakowsky was one of the 50 Democrats in the House to sign the letter.[25][26]

Economy

Statement about government shutdown

Schakowsky said about the shutdown, "The people that are driving this shutdown are people who don't have any institutional memory and many of them actually have no legislative experience whatsoever [or] legislative memory. So they came here on a mission, which was to shutdown the government. A couple of them bragged about it early on. ... This is a moment when our economy could actually be leaping forward. We are at a point where we could be creating jobs. We could be in a great position right now, and instead we're going to be seeing, I think, really tragic consequences in terms of the economy and individual American families."[27]

Social issues

SNAP challenge

In June 2013, more than two dozen HouseDemocrats, including Schakowsky, took part in a SNAP challenge, feeding themselves for a week on the average benefit level of a SNAP recipient.[28] Participants agreed to eat all meals from a limited food budget comparable to that of a SNAP participant, approximately $1.50 per meal, or $4.50 a day.[29]

Full history

To view the full congressional electoral history for Jan Schakowsky, click [show] to expand the section.

2010

On November 2, 2010, Jan Schakowsky won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Joe Barry Pollak (R) and Simon Ribeiro (Green) in the general election.[32]

U.S. House, Illinois District 9 General Election, 2010

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Janice D. Schakowskyincumbent

66.3%

117,553

Republican

Joe Barry Pollak

31.1%

55,182

Green

Simon Ribeiro

2.5%

4,472

Total Votes

177,207

2008

On November 4, 2008, Jan Schakowsky won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Michael Benjamin Younan (R), Morris Shanfield (G) and Susanne Atanus (Write-in) in the general election.[33]

U.S. House, Illinois District 9 General Election, 2008

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Janice D. Schakowskyincumbent

74.7%

181,948

Republican

Michael Benjamin Younan

22%

53,593

Green

Morris Shanfield

3.3%

8,140

Write-in

Susanne Atanus

0%

13

Total Votes

243,694

2006

On November 7, 2006, Jan Schakowsky won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Michael P. Shannon (R) in the general election.[34]

U.S. House, Illinois District 9 General Election, 2006

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Janice D. Schakowskyincumbent

74.6%

122,852

Republican

Michael P. Shannon

25.4%

41,858

N/A

Write-in

0%

3

Total Votes

164,713

2004

On November 2, 2004, Jan Schakowsky won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Kurt J. Eckhardt (R) in the general election.[35]

U.S. House, Illinois District 9 General Election, 2004

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Janice D. Schakowskyincumbent

75.7%

175,282

Republican

Kurt J. Eckhardt

24.3%

56,135

Total Votes

231,417

2002

On November 5, 2002, Jan Schakowsky won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Nicholas M. Duric (R) and Stephanie "Vs. the Machine" Sailor (L) in the general election.[36]

U.S. House, Illinois District 9 General Election, 2002

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Janice D. Schakowskyincumbent

70.3%

118,642

Republican

Nicolas M. Duric

26.8%

45,307

Libertarian

Stephanie Sailor

2.9%

4,887

Total Votes

168,836

2000

On November 7, 2000, Jan Schakowsky won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Dennis J. Driscoll (R) in the general election.[37]

U.S. House, Illinois District 9 General Election, 2000

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Janice D. Schakowskyincumbent

76.4%

147,002

Republican

Dennis J. Driscoll

23.6%

45,344

Total Votes

192,346

1998

On November 3, 1998, Jan Schakowsky won election to the United States House. She defeated Herbert Sohn (R) and Michael D. Ray (L) in the general election.[38]

U.S. House, Illinois District 9 General Election, 1998

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Janice D. Schakowsky

74.6%

107,878

Republican

Herbert Sohn

23.1%

33,448

Libertarian

Michael D. Ray

2.3%

3,284

Total Votes

144,610

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Schakowsky is available dating back to 2000. Based on available campaign finance records, Schakowsky raised a total of $8,227,676 during that time period. This information was last updated on April 5, 2013.[39]

2012

Breakdown of the source of Schakowsky's campaign funds before the 2012 election.

Schakowsky won re-election to the U.S. House in 2012. During that election cycle, Schakowsky's campaign committee raised a total of $1,350,902 and spent $1,338,067.[49] This is less than the average $1.5 million spent by House winners in 2012.[50]

PGI: Net worth

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Schakowsky's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $12,026 and $459,999. That averages to $236,012.50, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic representatives in 2012 of $5,700,168.36. Schakowsky ranked as the 336th most wealthy representative in 2012.[52] Between 2004 and 2012, Schakowsky's calculated net worth[53] increased by an average of 22 percent per year. Between 2004 and 2012, the average annual percentage increase for a member of Congress was 15.4 percent.[54]

Comparatively, the American citizen experienced a median yearly decline in net worth of -0.94%.[56]

The data used to calculate changes in net worth may include changes resulting from assets gained through marriage, inheritance, changes in family estates and/or trusts, changes in family business ownership and many other variables unrelated to a member's behavior in Congress.

Lifetime voting record

According to the website GovTrack, Schakowsky missed 202 of 9,871 roll call votes from January 1999 to March 2013. This amounts to 2.0%, which is better than the median of 2.2% among current congressional representatives as of March 2013.[62]

Congressional staff salaries

2011

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Schakowsky paid her congressional staff a total of $1,219,538 in 2011. She ranks 8th on the list of the highest paid Democratic representative staff salaries and ranks 8th overall of the highest paid representative staff salaries in 2011. Overall, Illinois ranks 46th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[63]

Staff bonuses

According to an analysis by CNN, Schakowsky was one of nearly 25 percent of House members who gave their staff bonuses in 2012. Schakowsky's staff was given an apparent $34,200.00 in bonus money.[64]

Personal

Schakowsky resides in Evanston, Illinois, with her husband Robert Creamer. She has three children, Ian, Mary and stepdaughter Lauren Creamer, and four grandchildren, Isabel, Eve, Lucy and William.[65]

Recent news

This section displays the most recent stories in a Google news search for the term Janice + Schakowsky + Illinois + House

All stories may not be relevant to this page due to the nature of the search engine.

↑The questions in the quiz are broken down into two sections -- social and economic. In social questions, liberals and libertarians agree in choosing the less-government answers, while conservatives and populists agree in choosing the more restrictive answers. For the economic questions, conservatives and libertarians agree in choosing the less-government answers, while liberals and populists agree in choosing the more restrictive answers.